POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Chris Warren
Group A
Puerto Rico - Jamaica 96-64
Puerto Rico victoriously opened their Central American and the Caribbean Games campaign. They fired past Jamaica in the opener. Carlos Rivera (187-PG-83, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Hofstra), Christian Dalmau (194-G-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Daytona Beach CC) and Carlos Lopez-Sosa (208-F-90, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: UNLV) had 12 points each for the winners. Puerto Rico unloaded 30 points in the first period to gain a 10-point lead. Jamaica slowed their opponents in the second frame. They pulled within nine points at halftime 50:41. But Puerto Rico fired 27 points in the third quarter to accumulate a comfortable 21-point cushion at the final intermission. Puerto Rico held their opponents to 8 points in the fourth frame and sealed a comfortable victory. David Cortez had 11 points in the win. Oritseweyinmi Efejuku (196-G-86, college: Providence) responded with 22 points for Jamaica. Damian Staple (201-F/C-80, agency: Marcher Sports, college: Iowa St.) had 12 points in the loss.
Group B
Panama - Dominican Republic 93-87
Panama opened win count at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico. They overcame Dominican Repubic in opener. Levour Warren (196-SF-81, college: S.Carolina) stepped up with 24 points to lead the winners. Panama trailed by as many as 8 points after the opening quarter 17:25. But they stiffened defensively in the second frame. Panama held Dominican Republic to just 12 points in the period to open a 2-point lead at halftime. Panama sank 29 points in the third term to take a 9-point advantage into the fourth frame. Dominican Repiblic dropped 28 points in the final stanza but could not avoid the defeat. Josimar Ayarza (205-F-87, college: S.Mississippi) had 21 points, while Trevor Gaskins (187-G-89, college: Louisiana Tech) added 13 points in the victory. Gerardo Suero (193-G-89, college: Albany) responded with 23 points and 7 rebounds for Dominican Republic. Jack Michael Martinez (201-F-81) had 22 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
Mexico - Costa Rica 82-53
Mexico eased past Costa Rica in the opening game at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz. Marco Ramos (198-F-87, college: Grand Canyon) posted 19 points to pace the hosts. Mexico opened a 21:12 lead after the first period. They extended the advantage at 19-point mark at the interval 42:23. Mexico stayed aggressive offensively throughout the third term. They entered the fourth frame up by 26 points. Costa Rica managed just 14 points in the final period to lose the game at the end. Francisco Cruz (190-G-89, college: Wyoming) netted 15 points, while Fernando Benitez had 10 points in the win. Hernold Gardener (205-C-82, college: Lon Morris JC) responded with 20 points for Costa Rica. Carlos Quesada (198-C-85) and Kay Martinez chipped in 8 points each in the loss.
